BALL BUZTERS

Last night was a most pleasurable bocce evening. And I did not play! My back made me a spectator/coach.

We played Ball Buzters. The best! Always #1 or 2. These guys must have started playing together while they were in their mothers’ wombs. They play that well.

Our team Don’s Place played that well last night, also. We were competitive. All three games were decided by a point or two. We won the first and lost the next two. But happy we were. It was a fun evening. We played the best and were able to hang in  there with them.

My parking comments yesterday hit a sensitive chord. Many responses. Both sides of the issue venting. All arguments had merit. My sense is parking will still be a problem 10 years from now.

Started yesterday with a haircut. Always good to see Lori at Blown Away.

I spent the afternoon writing next week’s column for KONK Life. The Al Qaeda Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight. There is a new al Qaeda group. They ventured out recently on their first escapade. They wanted to capture or damage the United States carrier the USS George Washington which was in Karachi harbor. Instead, they attacked a Pakistani frigate which they mistook for the carrier.

Poker Run begins today. An annual event in its 42nd year. A big deal.

Ten thousand bikes will roar into Key West today and tomorrow morning. They will leave Sunday late afternoon or monday early morning after a weekend of fun.

Many bikers bring their wives or girl friends. Generally perched sitting behind them.

The bikers are not the bad guys of Marlon Brando fame. They are doctors, lawyers, Indian chiefs disguised to look bad having a weekend of fun.

The event is sponsored by the Key West Sunrise Rotary. It is a fundraiser. The charities benefiting are a national diabetes organization and certain local charities. The funds raised will be between $80,000 and $100,000.

I seriously question  who the Federal Reserve works for. The American people or the banks?

The Federal Reserve announced yesterday that household wealth had risen 1.7 percent in the 2nd quarter. The rise was attributed to stock and mutual fund increases and the rise in household values.

Did your stock portfolio go up? Do you have a stock portfolio? Do you own a home?

It is primarily the stock portfolios of the 1 percent that enjoyed the upward gain. Not the 99 percent.

Enjoy your day!

KEY WEST MIRACLE ON 34th STREET?????

With all due respect,  local Key West governments sometimes operate with their heads up their asses!

Two incidents of note for today.

The first involves Key West parking. The City Commission has decreed a new residential parking program which goes into effect October 1. Basically, residents will be able to park. Non-residents will have to go through hell.

I live 2.5 miles outside Key West on an island called Key Haven. I drive into Key West every day two times. Lunch time for a couple of hours. Then in the evening for drinks, dinner and fun. I spend money on both occasions.

I do not want to have to walk long distances nor pay what I consider an exorbitant fee to park.

Then there is my friend Jimmy. He has a small but active painting business. Himself, his wife Joanie and John. Jimmy paints homes and commercial buildings inside and out in Key West. He drives a beat up old van. Carries his ladders on top. Jimmy wants to know where he will park. Jimmy thinks the new parking plan is a scam for the City to take in more money.

Jimmy is astute. He approached me with a solution last night. He said…..Remember that movie with Santa Claus where the judge said….. if the Post Office thought the guy was Santa Claus, he was Santa Claus…..the Post Office is an agency of the United States government…..the United States therefore thinks he is Santa Claus…..that is good enough for me.

Jimmy lives on Stock Island. Even closer to Key West than me. Less than a mile out.

His mail and mine bear a Key West address. After our specific street and numbers, the mail for those residing in Key West and out is addressed: Key West, Florida 33040. Jimmy’s statement simply stated…..If it’s good enough for the Post Office, it should be good enough for the Key West City Commission.

The other problem involves the Monroe County Commission. In their divine wisdom, they have decided that public employees (County employees) should not smoke. They have passed a law which is in the process of going into effect. No County employee may smoke. Not even at home. There will be cigarette testing similar to drug testing. Pee in a cup. Get caught with tobacco product in your urine and you will be fined. Worse? I don’t know.

The County Commissioners say it will save on insurance premiums. Taxpayers of the County should not have to pay for a higher cost of health insurance because of those who get sick from smoking.

Hear this from Louis. The law will never pass muster in court.

Finis. So much for preaching.

Enjoy your day!